The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), India’s premier defence research agency is carrying out trials of the indigenously developed Kaveri jet engine in Russia.

DRDO plans to use the Kaveri engine to power India’s long-range Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV). The engine will undergo detailed trials in Russia. Around 25 hours of testing still remained.

Officials stated that Russian authorities needed to provide time slots for the remaining tests. They confirmed that DRDO aimed to use the engine in the indigenous UCAV project.

Public interest in the Kaveri engine grew recently due to a campaign on social media urging the government to #FundKaveri.

DRDO originally designed the Kaveri engine for the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). However, due to delays in the engine programme, the LCA ended up using American GE-404 engines.

The GE-404 powered 32 LCA Mark 1 aircraft and the twin-seater trainer variants. The 83 LCA Mark 1A jets were also set to use GE-404 engines, but delays from the American firm affected the delivery schedule.

When asked if the Kaveri engine could still be used for the LCA, officials said DRDO planned to install it on one LCA to demonstrate its performance. DRDO also worked with a foreign firm to develop and manufacture a more powerful engine for future aircraft. They planned to use this new engine for the Mark 2 versions of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), a fifth-generation fighter jet.

India held talks with companies from France, the UK, and the US regarding this partnership. Officials said a decision on the collaboration is expected soon.

India’s indigenous fighter jet programmes are aimed to reduce dependence on foreign technology. The country intended to build its own platforms for the Indian Air Force.

The Kaveri engine is an indigenously developed turbofan engine. The Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), a DRDO laboratory, developed the engine.

This project was part of India’s larger effort to achieve self-reliance in defence technology. The government aimed to cut its reliance on foreign suppliers, especially for aircraft engines.